Camberley Spiritualist Church is an Affiliated Body
of the Spiritualists National Union.
Spiritualism is not only a philosophy, science and religion. It is a way of life. We welcome all who come seeking knowledge, help and comfort; all we ask is an open mind.
Our busy church offers a variety of events and activities from Mediumship evenings, Spiritualist Healing as well as Celebratory and Funeral Services. Whether you are looking to develop your psychic mediumship skills at our Open Circle, or you would like to hold a Blessing event at our church, there are opportunities to drop in and join us for public events, or indeed send us a message on an event you are looking to hold with us.
Everyone is very welcome at Camberley Spiritualist Church.
Please note finish times for these events are approximate, although we will make sure attendees are happy to stay a little later if required.
HEALING
Spiritualist Healing and Healing mean a form of healing by the use of forces and energies from God channelled through the spirit world and a Spiritualist Healing Medium by the laying on of hands on the body or prayer or direction of thought from a distance.
Spiritual Healing
Spiritual Healing requires no faith or belief whatsoever on the part of the person seeking healing. Nor is it necessary for a person to have the same belief as that of the Spiritualist Healing Medium administering the healing. For example, a child, animal or someone in a coma does not know what faith or belief is – and yet they receive, and can benefit from, Spiritual Healing in the same way as anyone else. The only requirements that are helpful are that a person should be aware of their own well-being and that they continue any medical treatment that has been prescribed for them by their GP, as Spiritual Healing is a complementary therapy.
The actual healing itself is one of a spiritual nature and this has an effect on all levels:- spiritually, physically, emotionally and mentally. The Healing Medium often has no prior knowledge of the patient’s state of health or why the patient has come for treatment, yet often the healing is beneficial to that condition.
The SNU recognises three methods of Healing:
Contact Healing: Where the Healing Medium seeks permission to place their hands on to the patient, while ensuring there is no cause for embarrassment.
Distant Healing: Where healing is sent by the power of thought to someone who is physically present but is not receiving contact healing.
Absent Healing: Where the patient is not physically present and healing thoughts are extended to them.
Patients requesting Spiritual Healing are advised to ensure that they are consulting an SNU Spiritualist Healing Medium, who holds an up-to-date Accreditation card, issued by the SNU, which certifies their name, registration number, photograph and renewal date of registration.
MEDIUMSHIP
Mediumship is the means of enabling those in the spirit world, probably our friends and family, to communicate with us, providing evidence that their spirit has survived physical death. This involves transferring information from the spirit, via a medium to the recipient
Mediumship
There are those with exceptional powers who are known as mediums or instruments, through which those on the other side of life communicate with the people they have left behind. Mediums although possessing this power, are fundamentally no different from the rest of us. There is nothing supernatural about them – one cannot be above nature, but they are supernormal.
Mediumship takes two forms, mental and physical. The former is the more common. In this, spirit works through the mediums mind and he or she is able to see, or hear clearly spirit forms or sounds. This is called clairvoyance or clairaudience. Again, a medium may only sense things, but all mediums possess one, or combination of these three forms.
How do mediums work?
In spirit communication the medium has a spirit guide or helper, who controls the medium and brings the spirit person into contact with the person on earth. Between the medium and her helper a close harmonious partnership exists, thus providing the line of communication between the two worlds. The helper is able to enter the medium’s mind and control it so that thoughts are submitted from the spirit world, which are in turn translated by the medium into descriptions of places or people and the words of a message, through clairvoyance, clairaudience or trance.
Another form of mediumship is psychometry in which a medium, while holding an object can obtain impressions of the person to whom it belongs, his character, habits and incidents connected with his life. There have been many instances where psychometry has been used to aid the police in finding missing persons, or bringing criminals to justice.
Where do mediums work?
In a church service or public meeting. In the smaller limits of a group or circle, or in the even more intimate contact between the medium and the person seeking communication or help in a private sitting. Mediums also hold circles for the development of potential clairvoyants or speakers, and the larger open circle for initial development in which those present can take part.
You may be told that you could be a medium. It is quite possible that you could with proper development. You cannot learn to be a medium – you either are one or you are not- but you can be helped if the latent power, which is in all of us, can be brought to the surface.
Some would-be mediums ask if it would be possible to sit alone for development. It is possible, but not advisable, as one lays ones self-open to undesirable influences. Join a good circle run by an experienced medium and composed of sincere sitters, for mutual help and protection. Besides the will to sit, two things are essential, punctuality and regular attendance. If you cannot fulfil these conditions do not join until you are able to do so. Remember you are making an appointment with spirit and they are never late! The right attitude of mind for would-be mediums is contained in these words of Tennyson: –
“How pure in heart, how sound in head
With what divine affection bold,
Should be the heart of him, who’d hold,
An hour’s communion with the dead”.
If you have not been to a spiritualist church before, visit us at the first opportunity. There is nothing like personal experience and we believe you will be drawn to come again and again. Attend an open circle and see what that brings forth, then at a later stage join a development circle. Do not expect immediate results, it may take months, even years, but you will get there in the end.
NAMING CEREMONIES
Naming ceremonies may be held for adults or children and are special, meaningful occasions to the person being named. We are able to hold them in our church or at other appropriate locations such as hospitals or home.
Naming Ceremonies
For both a child and an adult, a Naming Service is a celebration and an acknowledgment of being part of the greater family of humankind, of the love engendered in the Fatherhood of God and the Brotherhood of Man. In a Spiritualist Naming Service it is usual to give a spirit name provided by those in the world of spirit, which will encourage and inspire the person when the need arises.
All present at the ceremony are asked to be spiritual sponsors for the one being named, However the parents of a child, or the adult to be named, may invite responsible persons (usually two) who are willing to offer assistance with the spiritual aspects of life to the individual and their family, should the need arise.
The Naming Service is usually conducted by a Minister or Officient of the SNU who will discuss the service content with the parents of the child or the adult to be named. All those attending are invited to bring a floral token for the one being named.
EVENTS
We have a full and varied programme of events and mediumship at Camberley Spiritualist Church. For more details and to advise of attendance, please go to our Events page where you will find our calendar with details of weekly, monthly and special events in the forthcoming months.
WEDDING SERVICES
SNU Ministers and Officiants are fully trained to carry out marriage ceremonies, which includes the necessary legally binding vows.
Wedding Services
When vows are exchanged in the Spiritualist service it is intended that those in the spirit world are also invited as witnesses. Special people who cannot be there in body can certainly be there in spiritual form, bringing the love which continues to flow from them.
If you are thinking of having a Spiritualist wedding then it is important that you accept the Seven Principles and have an understanding of Spiritualism.
What steps do I take to arrange my marriage?
Permission: Contact the Church Committee to ask permission for both the ceremony to take place in the Church and for the person of your choice to officiate.
Date: Agree a date with the Church Committee and with the person whom you wish to take the service.
Register & Legal: Unless the Church has an authorised person who can witness and record the wedding on the day you may be required to book a Registrar. You must also complete the legal arrangements at the Registry Office for the banns to be posted.
Cost: Costs for which you are responsible are the Church fee for the use of the premises. The minister’s expenses and all fees as advised by the Registrar.
Things to decide: When the date, time and place have been arranged, there will be a meeting with the person taking the service. There will several things to decide such as hymns and/or music, any extra personal vows if you wish to make them etc.
Arrangements: You will need to contact and make arrangements with the Church if you require flowers or have other requests.
BLESSING SERVICES
SNU Ministers and Officiants are trained to assist in the planning of, and officiating at, your Blessing Service.
Blessing Services
Are you considering have a civil marriage followed by a blessing or have been married for several years and would like to have a blessing on your wedding anniversary? Perhaps you would like your new rings blessed to renew your promises? Do you want to celebrate all the past years together and the years to come? If you answered “yes” to any of these then a Wedding Blessing ceremony will fulfill these wishes…
Blessing following a Civil Ceremony:
You can have a civil ceremony in a registry office or other authorised venue closely followed by a Wedding Blessing of a more loving and spiritual nature held in a church, hotel or another place of your choosing. You can design a ceremony that suits you, choosing vows which really express your true feelings as you begin your journey together.
Married for a length of time?
A Wedding blessing is the perfect opportunity to reaffirm your feelings for each other. It could be a ceremony to celebrate the life you have lived together, to embrace the security of your marriage or the opportunity to rejoice in the love and contentment that your marriage has brought you.
Having a Blessing ceremony can rejuvenate your love for each other and show that you rejoice in your marriage. It can incorporate a blessing of new rings or to acknowledge a special anniversary. In the beginning you celebrated your wedding; years later you can celebrate the success of your marriage.
FUNERAL SERVICES
Funeral services can be prepared and arranged to cater for the wishes of yourself, if you would like to document them for when you depart, or the deceased if known.
Funeral Services
Recording the details of your wishes.
If you looking to record the details of what funeral you would like, the SNU provide a special form on which you may record your personal wishes. The sort of information you could record is, do you want:
- cremation or burial and where do you want this to be?
- a ceremony in a church, chapel of rest or crematorium?
- music, hymns and a reading? Many places now have the facility to play favourite recorded music.
- flowers from the family only, from everyone, or donations to a charity?
- if a cremation, where would you like your ashes to be scattered?
- someone chosen by you to take the service or to take part in it?
Arranging a funeral for someone else.
If the person has left details of what they would like for their funeral, then we can help you with how to undertake the ceremony. If they have not, then we can still discuss what you and the family would like to have.
Memorial Service.
Memorial Services may be arranged several days, weeks or even years after the actual death and it gives family, friends and colleagues the opportunity to pay tribute in person when they may have been too emotional to do so at the time of the funeral.
A GUIDE TO BEREAVEMENT
Spiritualists recognise that death is not the end of life. The love that people have for one another while alive continues after death because the soul is eternal. This knowledge is of great comfort and can help us when a loved one passes to the spirit world.
A Guide to bereavement
They are not here to hold our hands, to talk to and to build more memories with. It’s normal for Spiritualists to experience the same feeling of grief as everyone else as we build a life without that loved one. The grieving process takes as long as it takes for each individual. After a death you may experience many different emotions. Initially there may be feelings of shock, guilt, anger, numbness, fear and pain. You may move from one emotion to another and you may not understand why, but these feelings are normal reactions.
At times Spiritualist Ministers are here to help. They help not only Spiritualists who are affected by the death of a loved one, they also help anyone who needs a helping hand to understand the process that follows death. They are experts in walking alongside people, especially those coming to terms with huge changes in their lives.
Ways of coping.
In the early days after someone has died you may carry on as if nothing has happened, and this is some peoples’ way of coping. As time goes on you may feel that you are on an emotional rollercoster.
As well as emotional reactions you may experience physical ones such as difficulty sleeping, no appetite and a feeling of exhaustion; again this is normal. Our fifth Principle of Personal Responsibility reminds us that we need to take care of ourselves. Experiencing bereavement is a delicate time and it is important that you take care of you.
Some people find it difficult to talk to you because they don’t really know what to say, but for you talking about your loved one may be an important part of the grieving process. Hopefully there will be someone who will listen to you and for you to share your memories with. Knowing that one day you will be reunited with your loved on and the fact that they may communicate with you shows that they are still part of your life and are watching over you.
Here are a few Do’s and Don’ts that may help:
- Do give yourself time to adapt
- Do seek help if you need to
- Don’t isolate yourself
- Don’t bottle up your emotions
- Don’t’ feel inadequate because you are finding it hard to come to terms with the death of your loved one
- Don’t refuse help from family and friends
There are Healing Services held in the Spiritualist Church and you may find that Healing will help you to relax and cope with life a little better.
The wonderful energy within the church may also help you to deal with the emotions you are experiencing. Our church is there for you to participate in whichever aspects you feel may help you. For further help and advice please do not hesitate to contact us through the contact form or by dropping in.
What is Spiritualism?
Spiritualism is a religion that embodies the main ideas of all religions, that there is a life after death immortality and the existence of a God.
Spiritualism is an officially recognised religion and as such we have our own churches and education centres, and our Ministers enjoy the same rights, privileges and responsibilities as those of any other religion.
The philosophy of Spiritualism is founded on seven key principles:
Because we all come from the same universal Life source we are, in effect, one large family. This means that all mankind is part of a brotherhood. A brotherhood is a community for mutual support and comfort; we are all members of the same divine family. We have to understand the needs of other individuals in order to assist them as part of our service to each other. As we learn to give, so must we also learn to receive, thereby achieving the necessary balance for our lives.
Many Spiritualists consider this as the key Principle. All religions believe in life after death but only Spiritualism shows it is true by demonstrating that communication with departed spirits can, and does, take place. Spiritualist churches and centres provide many of the venues where communication, through mediumship, is possible and many loved relatives and friends take advantage of this opportunity to continue to show an interest in our welfare and us. There are spirit people who are dedicated to the welfare and service of mankind, like Silver Birch, channelled through the mediumship of Maurice Barbanell, who brought inspiration and teachings, whilst others work in the healing ministry.
Matter and energy cannot be created or destroyed. This is an old scientific axiom which research continues to confirm. If we accept this, and there is no reason why we should not, we need to know what happens when the present form of energy reaches the end of its viability. The answer is, simply, that it changes its manifestation. Spirit is energy and is therefore indestructible. On the death of the physical body the spirit continues as an integral part of a world which interpenetrates our world in different dimensions: this other world is referred to as the spirit world. In spirit life we have a spirit body that is a replica of our earthly body but it is a much finer form. We are the same individuals in every way, with the same personalities and characteristics, and we change only by progression, or otherwise, as a result of our own efforts.
This Principle is the one which places responsibility for wrongful thoughts and deeds where it belongs, with the individual. It is the acceptance of responsibility for every aspect of our lives, and the use to which we put our lives depends entirely upon ourselves. It is not possible for any other person or outside influence to interfere with our spiritual development, unless we are willing to allow this. As we are given freedom of choice (freewill), so also are we given the ability to recognise what is right and wrong for our own spirituality. We are personally responsible for all our words, deeds and thoughts.
As with all other Principles, natural laws apply; this one echoes the Law of Cause and Effect (‘what goes around, comes around’ ). One cannot be cruel and vindictive towards others and expect love and popularity in return. It should be understood that the compensatory or retributive effects of this law operate now, on earth: they do not wait until we begin to live our lives in the spirit world. With this understanding we can try to put right wrongs that we know we have done before we pass from this life.
In most humans there exists the desire for progress and to every human soul belongs the power to advance in wisdom and love. All who desire to tread the path that leads to spiritual wisdom and understanding are able to do so. The rate of progress is directly proportional to the desire for mental and spiritual understanding. It is the realisation that our soul is a part of eternity and the road to progress is open any time we choose to walk it that can help us come to terms with the challenges of this world.
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